Alumna Piper Perabo nominated for Golden Globe

Nominated for Best Actress in a TV Series: Drama for her role in “Covert Affairs”

Dec 20, 2010Colleen Kiphart

Ohio University alumna Piper Perabo has been nominated for a Golden Globe for her role in the USA Network’s television drama “Covert Affairs.”

Perabo, who graduated summa cum laude with a degree in theater in 1998, is competing against veteran television actresses like Julianna Margulies, of "The Good Wife," and Kyra Sedgwick, of "The Closer," for the prestigious award.

In the show, Perabo plays Annie Walker, a 28-year-old field operative with the CIA. It follows Walker as she executes daring missions while trying to hide the true nature of her work from family and friends.

Perabo’s former adviser, William Condee, the J. Richard Hamilton/Baker and Hostetler Professor of Humanities in the School of Interdisciplinary Studies, is not surprised by this latest acclaim.

“What has impressed me the most about "Covert Affairs" is that Piper’s intelligence, enthusiasm, energy, and quirky personality come through,” he said.

In addition, Condee and his family have become fans of Perabo’s popular television show.

“The show became a weekly ritual for my son and me,” said Condee. “He had many questions, which Piper has been very generous in responding to. I told him that she learned how to jump out of airplanes and climb down elevator shafts in tutorials, but I don’t think he believes me.”

As Walker, Perabo has to be convincing while dodging gunfire and while analyzing data and evidence. She does it so well, according to Condee, in no small part because she is as intelligent as her character.

“She is a brilliant young woman, who graduated from Honors Tutorial College (HTC), studying physics, poetry and Latin in her senior year,” explained Condee. “I believe that she excelled so quickly in her career because HTC encouraged her to create performance opportunities for herself — not to be dependent on the whims of other people.”

Perabo has been a dedicated alumna of Ohio University. Last January she returned to Athens to lecture to students and host student workshops.

Her success has not been limited to television. She made her film debut in 1997 and has been acting steadily ever since. Her lengthy filmography includes the blockbuster hit “Coyote Ugly” and Christopher Nolan’s “The Prestige,” starring Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale.

Condee congratulated Perabo on her success.

“She didn’t learn self-initiative from us, but we sure didn’t hold her back," he said. "I and all the folks in Theater and Honors Tutorial College are thrilled at this recognition of her accomplishments, which I would like to believe are based in part on the broad and deep education she gained at Ohio University.”